IATSE Sues ‘Green Book’ Writer Nick Vallelonga for $570,000 in Unpaid Wages on ‘That’s Amore’

Brian Welk
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

IATSE and its local branches in New York have filed a civil lawsuit against Nick Vallelonga, the Oscar-winning writer of “Green Book,” alleging that Vallelonga and his production arm failed to pay $570,000 in combined wages to union workers employed on his upcoming film “That’s Amore.”

IATSE in a press release said the film starring John Travolta, Katherine Heigl, and Christopher Walken had a projected budget of $34 million, but that under “Vallelonga’s so-called ‘leadership,’ the production ran out of money.” Production began September 19, 2022 and ran through November of that year.

More from IndieWire

The suit claims the production company, “That’s Amore Movie, LLC,” left dozens of workers unpaid and failed to meet what the union said is an estimated $100,000+ in benefit contributions.

IATSE is taking legal action after the union said it already went through an arbitration process that yielded a settlement, but that the production company still missed “nearly all required payments” and again defaulted on contractual obligations.

The lawsuit was initiated by IATSE and seven of its affiliated New York film and TV production locals and was filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York.

“This lawsuit underscores our commitment to vigorously protecting our members and ensuring that their rights are not trampled upon,” IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said. “In this country, when you work, you get paid. Anything less is theft. We will not stand idly by while companies like That’s Amore Movie, LLC attempt to undermine the fair and hard-won terms of our collective agreements. We will relentlessly pursue all avenues to ensure justice is served.”

A rep for Vallelonga and for the sales agent on “That’s Amore” did not immediately return IndieWire’s request for comment.

The union closed its statement with a threat that it has the power within its International Constitution to declare a company or individual “unfair” and would ban IATSE members from rendering services on any projects for the company or individual until financial obligations have been met. The guild hasn’t taken that step against Vallelonga yet.

However, the union said the measure was last invoked in 2019 against a company called Weasel Works Productions.

Vallelonga is a two-time Oscar winner as a producer of 2019 Best Picture winner “Green Book,” and also shares the Best Screenplay Oscar with Peter Farrelly and Brian Hayes Curry. “That’s Amore” has already sold in some international territories, but does not have domestic distribution.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.